Initial assessment and treatment with the Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE) approach

TLDR

The ABCDE approach is a universally accepted emergency assessment and treatment protocol that improves outcomes by enabling rapid focus on life‑threatening problems and enhancing team performance. The paper seeks to disseminate knowledge and skills of the ABCDE approach. The authors provide a practical how‑to description of the ABCDE approach.

Abstract

The Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE) approach is applicable in all clinical emergencies for immediate assessment and treatment. The approach is widely accepted by experts in emergency medicine and likely improves outcomes by helping health care professionals focusing on the most life-threatening clinical problems. In an acute setting, high-quality ABCDE skills among all treating team members can save valuable time and improve team performance. Dissemination of knowledge and skills related to the ABCDE approach are therefore needed. This paper offers a practical "how-to" description of the ABCDE approach.